Page 100 - All Shapes & Zebras From Treorchy

Naturally – and perhaps necessarily so – the lines between youth rugby and age-grade rugby begin to become blurred as players, coaches and parents become aware of the draw towards the senior game. Although it perhaps shouldn’t, at youth level the stakes begin to rise and pressure mounts with some youth coaches holding a “win at all cost” mentality over the enjoyment aspect of the sport.
Although a youth team winning games will undoubtedly create a camaraderie that should engage players, you’ll usually find some players who don’t want to buy into such a blinkered view of things and may ultimately look elsewhere for a club or fall out of the system - especially when university or full time jobs become a consideration.
Another factor that needs to be considered is injury and risk. These days, some youth team players can tip the scales at well over 17 stone and bench press well in excess of 100kg. You don’t have to be the wisest of scholars to appreciate what collisions and contacts occur on youth team rugby pitches. The result? The same injuries that are well documented in the senior game are prevalent here too. Like senior rugby, there’ll be mismatches in size and skill – a crucial component of rugby union – but one can see why some players may not carry on playing the game after their days as a youth team rugby player come to an end.
98 ALL SHAPES & ZEBRAS FROM TREORCHY